Cup final joy for Athletic

Sports Reporter

​Wetherby Athletic won the Barkston Ash FA Challenge Cup when they overcame Kippax by a 2-0 scoreline, on Easter Monday.

Josh Wilson gave the Tangerines an early lead and Arran Horton’s late penalty rounded things off as the game descended into something approaching a farce when Kippax had four men sent-off in the closing 18 minutes.

Arran Horton nets the Tangerines' second goal, from the penalty spot

In their first serious foray into their opponents’ penalty area, Wetherby took the lead in the seventh minute.

Battling for the ball, Joe Whiteley beat his man and swung in a pin-point cross to the far post where Wilson rose unmarked to loop his header over former Harrogate Town custodian Martyn Wood and into the net.

Chances came and went for both sides before the second goal of the afternoon arrived in the 79th minute when Josh Kirk stepped in to steer the ball away from a Kippax player before sending Wilson free in the middle of the park.

Striding into the box, Wood produced a great save low down to deny Wilson but then appeared to lash out at the young Tangerines forward.

John Tehrani forces a save from Kippax's stand-in goalkeeper

Pointing at the spot straight away, match official Mr Collier-Booth wasted no time in showing a red card to the gloveman.

After the stand-in was ready and Wilson was back on his feet, Horton made no mistake with a powerful penalty that smashed into the net.

Kippax had already seen one man dismissed before Wood received his marching orders, and two more of their players saw red in the closing stages as the contest began to spiral out of control.

Reflecting on his side’s victory, boss Forster said: “It was an interesting match towards the end and I do feel for the referee if I’m honest.

Skipper Andy Graham lifts the trophy

“He had no option with some of the decisions and it does leave a little sour taste in the mouth with the way the game finished.

“I think that we did enough to win it. Kippax played the long ball and up to thier quick, strong strikers, but I thought we dealt with it really well.

“Andy Graham, Dave McKay and Phil Milsom did well, and with Matty Forster and Josh Kirk tucking in, we made it very hard for them.

“I’m delighted to retain the trophy. There are a lot of good teams in this competition, so to win it is very pleasing.”